After purchasing a washing machine, a dilemma arises - how to connect the machine correctly. Often the SM hose is connected directly to the water supply pipe, which is quite dangerous. As a result of water hammer, the hose may burst, so you will not be able to urgently turn off the water supply. Thus, the issue of installing a tap to supply water to the washing machine is one of the priorities.
Types of taps
Have you decided to install a faucet for your washing machine? When choosing, pay attention to the following characteristics:
In stores you will find taps made of materials such as silumin and brass. We recommend choosing a brass alloy. It will cost more, but it has advantages: moisture resistance and strength. Silumin is lower in cost, however, it is very fragile and quickly breaks down, so you will have to go to the store again. (Below in photo No. 1 - silumin, in photo No. 2 - brass)
It happens that in a store or market they pass off a stopcock for a washing machine made of silumin as brass. You can easily check this by weighing the product in your hand: brass is much heavier in weight.
There are two main types:
- Multi-turn (plate). You rotate the plate along the thread - the tap closes. But it is unlikely that it will be possible to immediately shut off the water during a breakthrough.
- Ball (half-turn). Instantly turn off the water by turning the handle. Durable, leak-proof, aesthetic fitting. A simple and compact design that will fit well into any interior.
Types of taps for connecting the washing machine to the water supply
Three main varieties are used. Let's figure out what their main advantages are.
- for a washing machine or walk-through. It is installed if there is a pipe that goes separately to the washing machine. The one-piece tube has two outlets and is equipped with a ball valve that instantly shuts off the water supply.
- Tap with three terminals. for installation on a washing machine was appreciated by many users, since in addition to the SMA you can connect additional devices. The locking mechanism operates instantly: when the water in the SM is shut off, access to other devices is not blocked.
- For tight spaces, it is better to choose a (valve) for a washing machine. It also has two holes, only the rotation angle of one of them is 90°.
Correct installation
After purchasing, you need to install the faucet for the washing machine correctly. Therefore you will need:
- Various hoses are included with the SM. It is recommended to select a double hose of the required length. Thanks to wire reinforcement, such hoses serve for a long time and reliably.
- Flow filter. There are a lot of impurities in tap water, so it is better to install a mesh filter to trap debris.
- For work, the following are used: a calibrator, an expendable wrench for nuts, nuts, and a special tape for sealing.
Installation of an angle and flow valve is carried out according to the diagram described above.
Connecting an automatic washing machine
If you purchased a hose of the required length in advance, then there should be no problems. Having pre-treated the thread with fum tape for tightness, we connect the end of the hose with a plastic tip to the SM. We also connect the other end to the thread of the fitting. Ready! Now you can wash without fear of leaks.
Hello, dear reader! Any housewife (and owner) can no longer imagine life without an automatic washing machine. Operation in automatic mode implies a water supply, which means the presence of shut-off valves that allow you to reliably cut off the water flow for installation and replacement of the unit. A washing machine faucet will help solve the problem.
The washing machine should be disconnected from the water supply very often. The best time is always when it is not needed. This is due to the fact that unexpected emergency pressure surges occur in water supply systems, and as a result of water hammer, the hose or valve inside the device can be damaged. Damage may also occur during prolonged use. As a result, you can flood both your own and your neighbor’s apartment. And no one needs a flood in a private house.
In principle, you can shut off the cold water supply pipe using the first faucet or valve of a suitable diameter that you come across. But you always want all the equipment in the bathroom or kitchen to be stylish, comfortable, beautiful and of the same type.
Purpose and scope
About 20 years have passed since the widespread use of household automatic washing machines in the post-Soviet space. Nowadays there are washing machines in almost every house or apartment. A large number of options for installing units in apartments and houses have appeared: with and without a stationary supply, with corner and direct-flow taps, with connection to a mixer and a water tap.
At the moment, a whole collection of special fittings has been developed that allows you to connect the machine to the water supply network at any point convenient for you.
There are also more powerful industrial machines that also require the use of locking devices for their connection. Fundamentally, the connection method does not differ from the household one (adjusted for the fact that cold and hot water is permanently supplied to them and large taps are required).
Characteristics
There are no special requirements for connecting home washing machines, so ball valves are almost always used: sealed, reliable, simple, quickly shutting off the flow of the medium, and having a low cost. Valves with diameters of 15-20 mm are not installed in everyday life; valves that require longer turning to close and open water and which reduce the pressure somewhat more than ball designs are also practically not installed. Conical structures are also practically not used in everyday life.
What materials are they made from?
The range of materials from which shut-off valves are made is large: steel, cast iron, titanium, brass, bronze, ceramics, PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene. The machine is used almost every day; plastic products are not very designed for everyday opening and closing; cast iron and ceramics are bulky, steel is prone to corrosion, titanium and stainless steel are expensive to use. There are also silumins, but they are not very durable.
The almost optimal choice is brass (bronze is a little more expensive and a little more fragile). In addition, brass products are sold absolutely everywhere and are quite affordable in price.
Crane device
Many ball valve designs have been developed for connecting an automatic machine, but it is based on a ball-based locking system.
Principle of operation
The shut-off element in a ball valve is a ball with a large through hole. When you turn the handle, the ball rotates. Turn to the “open” position - the axis of the hole coincides with the direction of the water flow, turn to the “close” position - the ball turns and blocks the flow of water with its solid part, which fits tightly to the seat of the device.
The advantage is the very small angle of rotation of the handle - 90°.
Advantages and disadvantages
Brass ball products have many advantages, while household taps have practically no disadvantages:
- very compact dimensions;
- reliability;
- durability;
- simplicity of design and maintainability;
- low cost;
- good tightness;
- low hydraulic resistance;
- corrosion resistance.
There are virtually no disadvantages when used in home plumbing systems. You just need to pay attention that when a faucet with a cantilever handle is located along the wall, there may not be room to turn the handle - you should think about convenient placement at the planning stage.
Differences between a faucet and a valve
Gate valves are more reliable than taps, but they are much taller, heavier, more expensive and inconvenient to use. In addition, it is unrealistic to find ¾° or ½° valves in stores.
The fundamental difference is that when the steering wheel rotates, the locking organ in the form of a plate is lowered and raised – for a long time and with some physical effort. The use of valves in home systems simply does not make sense.
Types and designs
There are three main design options for the device:
- conventional straight-through ball valve. On one side there is a pipe with a ¾" external thread for screwing on the union nut of the washing machine hose, on the other there is, most often, an internal thread for connecting to the water supply;
- Angle faucet is a variant of a regular straight-through fitting, only the water flow is rotated (usually 90°). Convenient when placing the machine in a corner, placing pipes close to the wall, concealing the pipeline in the wall, or to prevent the hose from bending;
- three-way valve made on the basis of a tee. It has two fundamental modifications:
- a tee, the body of which is installed in the pipeline and is its flow part; on the third branch pipe there is a tap and a thread - it is to this that the hose is screwed;
- a tee through which two water consumer devices are connected, and the tap allows you to turn off any consumer or both at once. A typical example is a fitting quickly installed on a bathroom faucet: a machine hose and a shower hose are connected to it. The same device can be used to permanently connect a washing machine and dishwasher located nearby in the kitchen.
Marking: on the fitting body the following is applied:
- DN - diameter in mm (sometimes duplicated in inches, on small diameters without strokes);
- PN - working pressure in bar.
Life time
The service life of brass products depends on the frequency of opening and closing (other conditions are stable - cold water, operating pressure in household networks 1.6 MPa). If you don’t turn the tap every day, you can count on 15-20 years. If you have ten children and you spend the whole day loading things into the washing machine, sorted by all the colors of the rainbow, and at the same time opening and closing the water supply every time, then the faucet may die before the washing machine.
In general, it is advisable to change the shut-off valves along with the washing machine (i.e., once every 10-12 years).
Valves take a long time to close, and leaks occur more often. Gate valves – does not make sense (see above). Cast iron is cumbersome. Steel rusts. Titanium and stainless steel are expensive and make no sense. Silumin - will not live long, but the stingy pays twice. Plastic is not designed for everyday torsion. In general, the well-known brass ball products are the best choice. Yellow or plated with nickel or chrome is a matter of taste; you need to focus on the overall style of the bathroom. But it is worth considering the fact that brass tarnishes over time.
Our production or imported? Our mid-priced products are no worse, and the exclusive design behind the machine body is usually not visible.
The choice of design depends on the installation location of the unit, pipe material, and repair plans. If the house has plastic pipes, it is easy to cut them, install the required piece of pipeline by inserting a tee and installing a direct-flow tap. If there are old steel ones and you plan to replace them in the next couple of years, then you should screw the fitting to the nearest mixer or tap and not have to worry about cutting into steel pipes. There are different fittings: some are screwed between the faucet body and the shower hose and gooseneck; some consist of a tube and a three-way compact faucet and are screwed between the eccentrics and the mixer body (a tube for hot water, a tee with a faucet for cold water).
If the metal is in good condition and no repairs are planned, it is better to cut in, add a piece of pipe (plastic can be used) and connect the machine permanently.
Direct-flow models are used when a suitable threaded pipe (or a suitable section of pipeline) is available. Angular products are used in the same way - their use is determined by the location of the machine.
Three-way taps are installed to connect two units, for example a washing machine and a dishwasher; or with a temporary connection from a mixer.
approximate price
Brass direct-flow taps cost from 150 rubles, three-way taps - from 200 rubles and more. The very low price raises doubts about the quality.
Rules for installation and operation of the crane
Installing a faucet for a mixer is no more difficult than installing an ordinary coupling faucet, and can be easily done with your own hands.
Required tools and materials
To install a brass faucet you will need:
- gas and two adjustable wrenches;
- gaskets and FUM tape;
- die for cutting threads of the appropriate diameter;
- the drive complete with a nut and a long coupling is made of brass, the long thread on the drive should have 20-30 turns;
- coupling ball valve made of brass with internal threads on both sides;
- grinder with cutting wheels, file;
- for installation in a system of polypropylene pipes - a welding machine with nozzles, MRN, American nut, fitting;
- for installation in a system of cross-linked polyethylene pipes - compression or press fittings, crimping press, American nut, fitting.
Work progress
If you have to cut pipes when installing a fitting, you need to draw an exact diagram and think through all the details.
Connecting a washing machine using a fitting to a faucet is usually not difficult: unscrewing the shower hose or gooseneck, winding the FUM tape onto the threads, tightening the fitting and the unscrewed faucet component - everything is quite simple. Installation into XLPE systems using compression or press fittings is also not too difficult. Inserting into polypropylene networks is also not too difficult.
Difficulties begin if the networks in a house or apartment are made of metal - installation requires some effort.
First you need to drain the water from the system. Twist the tap and the squeegee together - “try it on”, measure their length. It is not always possible to use an American nut instead of a drive. Then decide on the insertion location: if there is an unused end pipe in a convenient place, you can use it. It’s worse if you need to insert a tap-tee into a flat section of the pipe - after all, it won’t be possible to do the insertion as easily as with plastic. Use a grinder to cut the pipes in the right places and remove any burrs with a file. The length of the cut section of the pipe should be approximately equal to the length of the pipe and faucet assembly or 1 mm longer). Then cut with a thread die.
If you need to connect a direct-flow or angle valve to a branch pipe, wind the FUM and screw on the fitting. Check.
Installation of a three-way product as a tee
Determine where the water comes from. Screw the FUM tape onto the thread on this side of the pipe so that the direction of winding coincides with the direction of screwing the reinforcement (and continue to follow the direction of winding). Then screw the tap on 4-5 turns or more. Wind FUM tape onto the short thread of the squeegee and screw the squeegee into the fitting 4-5 mm. A gap is formed between the bend and the thread on the other side of the pipe, approximately equal to the length of 4-5 turns of thread. Look at the photo for the drive.
Wrap the FUM tape around the thread at the second end of the pipe. Screw the coupling onto the pipe thread. Screw the FUM onto a piece of long thread between the nut and the coupling. Tighten the nut so that it almost rests against the coupling.
Then fill the system with water and check for leaks. The easiest way is to wrap the insertion site with paper towels or toilet paper - the leak site will be clearly visible. If it leaks, you need to try tightening the connections. If it doesn’t help, take it apart, wind up a little more FUM tape and twist it again. Check the system again (pressure test).
Screw the union nut of the washing machine onto the corresponding pipe. The use of FUM tape is not necessary - the nut has seals.
In principle, it is possible to use an American union nut instead of a bend, but in practice this is only feasible if it is possible to move the ends of the pipe apart - and with a steel pipe this is practically impossible.
Installation video
All the subtleties of installation can be easily seen in our video:
Features of operation
The main feature is one - if the machine does not work, the tap must be closed! A severe water leak due to a broken hose is an unpleasant and expensive event.
ball valves for water in Moscow
Ball valves- this is a common type shut-off valves, used to regulate the flow of working media inside pipelines. The use of ball valves allows not only to completely shut off the flow of liquid or gas in the pipe, but also to change the intensity of the flow, strengthening or weakening it.
A design feature of ball valves is that to regulate the water pressure, a spherical valve is used, which has two round holes strictly opposite each other, the diameter of which exactly matches the diameter pipes on which the crane is installed. When the ball valve is open, water flows through it unhindered; when it is closed, the pipe lumen is completely blocked. The spherical shape of the valve allows it to avoid deformation under the influence of water pressure, and also makes it easier to move when opening and closing the tap.
This page presents ball valves for water, that is, those that are used for hot and cold water supply systems, air conditioning, heating (including underfloor heating systems). The most popular among our customers are Ball ValvesBugatti(Bugatti), manufactured in Italy, however, ball valves from Russian manufacturers are also in demand.
To install ball valves and other engineering plumbing, most Muscovites need services locksmith. You can order them from us!
Choosing a faucet for a washing machine is an important step that must be taken very seriously. This link will provide a reliable connection to water, which is a very important condition. Choosing the wrong parts, careless installation and inattentive reading of the instructions will lead to unpleasant consequences in the future. A bad faucet can not only damage the internal parts of the machine and lead to, but also cause a real flood not only in your home, but also in your neighbors. We will look at the design of water taps and tell you how to choose them correctly and then connect them to the machine.
Taps for connecting a washing machine and other household appliances to the plumbing system are divided into several types.
Ordinary flow
Its outlets are located on both sides. This type of device is mounted on special branch, which connects the water supply communications with the washing machine. This type of faucet simply shuts off the flow of water to the device, dividing the branch into two parts.
Flow tap
Triple
It has several outlets for connecting devices to the water supply. One of them is responsible for directly blocking the flow. Others serve as ordinary flow-through devices to combine all branches of the water supply system into one system. These taps can have different shapes and configurations. This type of cut-off systems makes it possible to connect through one connection in the water supply system multiple devices. A standard flow system faucet will not be able to do this due to its design features.
For example, this is how a washing machine usually works.
This is a system with two branches of modernized contraction. This allows you to divide the outlet pipe into 2 compartments, while placing it at an angle of 90 degrees. This tap is best suited for situations where the machine is connected to a water pipe, located in the wall, which makes it quite difficult to connect a direct tap to it.
In addition, it is used in the installation of toilets and other plumbing fixtures.
Angle crane
Installation required
Most consumers, when purchasing parts for installing a washing machine, often ask themselves why not just connect the hose directly to the water supply. What is the purpose of the crane? Of course, there is always the option to refuse to use this part, but then be mentally prepared to compensate your neighbors for losses.
For people who have already encountered such an unpleasant phenomenon as water hammer in water supply pipes, it makes no sense to describe its consequences. This is a fairly common problem, when it occurs, the seams of metal and metal-plastic communications are completely torn. Now think about what will happen in the same situation with a soft one, which is directly connected to the water supply pipes. In a couple of seconds it will not be able to hold back the water and will rupture completely, and after a few minutes several floors of the apartment building will be flooded.
That is why it is impossible to do without a special overlapping device. An installed tap will make using the washing machine safe and convenient: plumbers recommend turning off the water after completing each wash.
Selection options
When choosing a model, pay special attention to the following aspects:
- Material, from which the tap was made. The modern market is able to offer models made of brass or silumin. Experts do not recommend giving preference to a brass product, since silumin taps wear out quickly.
- Overlap mechanism diagram water. In faucets, the most common are ball and multi-turn systems. In terms of efficiency and durability, the ball type is best.
- External characteristics valve This part is designed to control the water pressure and completely shut it off. It is very important to choose a valve that is convenient for you. They may differ in size, shape and the force required to close the tap. In the event of an accident, every second will count, which is why it is so important that the surface of the valve is not slippery and fits comfortably in the hand.
Connecting the washing machine to the water supply
Having decided on the right valve, you can start working on the water supply system. When preparing for the procedure, you need to provide yourself with the appropriate tools and necessary parts. During work you may need:
- Double hose. As a rule, it is included with the washing machine, but if for some reason the developer did not include it in the kit, you will have to purchase the hose separately. Be sure to check the required length; it is better to take it with a small margin so that you don’t have to lengthen the hose later. Choose a two-layer hose with wire reinforcement; it will easily withstand high pressure and ensure an uninterrupted flow of water during washing.
- flow system for water purification. This part is mounted directly onto the thread of the faucet and connects to the branch of the water supply pipe. The filter is used to improve the quality of running water and reduce the risk of the formation of various deposits. Depending on the quality of the liquid, different numbers of filters can be used.
- Seal rings, spare nuts, winding. This is a standard plumbing installation kit. These materials are used to ensure tight connections and securely fasten all components.
- Key with an adjustable mechanism. Used for tightening nuts, connecting pipes, pipes and hoses.
- Calibrator plastic pipes. Used for fitting and installing taps into pipes.
Having prepared the necessary materials and tools, you can safely begin connecting the washing machine to the water supply system. Think in advance about how it will be connected to the main water pipes. There are several of them.
Connection via a tee valve with integration into the pipe
While doing this, turn off the cold water riser. Remove the portion of pipe required to install the faucet diameter. Remove from the faucet and install special mounting nuts on the pipe. Using a calibrator, expand the outlet diameters of the pipes and install a tee valve on them. Do not forget to properly secure the joints with tightening rings. Connect the shut-off section of the faucet to the inlet hose of the machine.
Installation of a two-way valve
Such a valve is best used when a separate pipe branch is specially provided for a household device. As a rule, such a branch is already equipped with a special threaded bushing. The owner just has to screw a tap with a two-outlet system to it and connect it to a flow filter. After this, the inlet hose is connected to the filter. It will take no more than five minutes to do everything!
Angle tap installation
This procedure is very similar to that already described above. The only difference here is the need to screw not a flow-through valve to the outlet, but an angle one.
As a result, we can say: purchasing and connecting a faucet for a washing machine is a fairly simple process. If you carefully follow the instructions, you can even install everything yourself, without turning to professionals. Follow the tips described above and you will quickly understand the nuances of this process.